BMF appoints ex-Clemenger BBDO Melbourne’s Dan Lacaze to the role of group account director

BMF has hired experienced group account director Dan Lacaze, as the agency moves into a new stage of growth and development with the appointments of Steve McArdle and Christina Aventi as MD and EPD, respectively.

With more than 13 years’ industry experience, Lacaze has relocated from Melbourne, where he spent the last two years at Clemenger BBDO Melbourne leading the Australia Post, Bupa and Dulux accounts.

He has worked with local and international clients across a broad range of categories, including Beverages, Insurance, Travel, Government, plus Home and Lifestyle.

Lacaze spent the first six years of his career at M&C Saatchi and Ogilvy, where he worked on integrated accounts including Qantas, Coca-Cola and the Roads and Traffic Authority. He then took a role as brand lead on Energy Drinks at Coca-Cola South Pacific. While there, Lacaze led Mother energy drink for two years, achieving 25% market share and becoming the third most successful energy brand for Coca-Cola worldwide.

Continuing his relationship with Coca-Cola, Lacaze took up a management role at independent agency Urban and led the brand activation of ‘Share a Coke’. The campaign delivered over 370,000 personalised cans of Coke in Westfield Shopping Centres nationally and has since been rolled out to dozens of markets globally, including China and the USA.

Throughtout his career, Lacaze has led a number of internationally award-winning campaigns such as: ‘Share a Coke’ which was awarded at Cannes and most recently a world first ‘Video Stamp’ for Australia Post which was awarded at Cannes, D&AD, the Webbys and the Asian Marketing Effectiveness Awards.

Says McArdle: “We’re thrilled to have someone of Dan’s calibre, talent, energy and enthusiasm join our senior ranks. Throughout his career, Dan has provided genuine strategic insight for his clients, building deep and mutually beneficial relationships along the way. We’re looking forward to him playing an important role in further developing our digital and innovation capabilities here at BMF.”

Says Lacaze: “BMF have a prolific creative profile, and the work over the last year under Cam (ECD Cam Blackley) has been outstanding, particularly on ALDI. I am thrilled to be tasked with delivering this quality of unique BMF ideas for Lion, Football Federation of Australia and our new business function. It’s an exciting time to join the new guard at BMF.”